Defense leads Madison girls basketball past Britton Deerfield

Saturday

Jan 12, 2013 at 9:30 AM

Trojans topple Patriots in key TCC matchup, 31-27

By David FrownfelderDaily Telegram Staff Writer

The Madison High School girls basketball team used a tight defense to stay undefeated with a 31-27 win over Britton Deerfield Friday. Madison needed all of its defensive prowess as the Trojans hit only 1 of 19 free throws in the key Tri-County Conference matchup.

The first half was low scoring, with Madison (10-0, 7-0 TCC) taking a 13-8 lead at halftime. BD (7-3, 4-2 ) took a 7-4 lead after the first quarter, but the Trojans outscored the Patriots 9-1 in the second quarter.

The game was a rematch of the Siena Heights Holiday Tournament championship game won by the Trojans 43-30. Madison coach Rick McNeil and Patriots coach Craig Tanis both said the first half was a feeling out period as both teams played hard, with little to show on the scoreboard.

"We played well in spurts, especially on offense," McNeil said. "We have a goal of hitting 60 percent of our free throws,, but we didn't even come close to that."

Tanis, whose team lost its third straight game after opening the season with seven wins, was pleased with how his team came out in the third quarter.

"We came out hard and hit a couple of shots," he said. "But, we are a very young team and had a number of chances, but couldn't finish."

The offense came in spurts for both teams. Madison took its first lead of the night at the 2:41 mark before halftime and when Maddie McNeil hit a 3-pointer, the Trojans were up 11-8.

The Patriots got back in the game in the third quarter, as junior Cambria Handy banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut the Trojan lead to 24-22. However, the fourth quarter was a defensive struggle as both teams held the other in check. Madison was unable to hit free throws, and BD was able to hang close until the end.

Handy was the only player in double figures in the game. She led BD with 17 points, 13 in the second half, while also grabbing 12 rebounds.

For Madison, Ashley Bussing led the way with eight points. She also had 11 rebounds and two blocked shots, as the Trojans clogged the middle and contested many of BD's shots.

"When you play good defense, you have a good chance of winning," McNeil said.

The Trojans were ball hawks all night. Ashley Morris had four steals, two of which led to breakaway layups among her six points. Shayla Villarreal had five steals to go with her three points.

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